The City of Saskatoon’s Snow and Ice Program consists of five major components:
- Sanding/salting: Applying treated sand or salt to improve traction or to reduce/eliminate ice.
- Snow plowing: Pushing snow from the driving lanes to “storage areas” on a street right-of-way, which may be located on the centre median, boulevard or windrow in the parking lane adjacent to the curb.
- Snow removal: Loading snow in trucks and hauling it to disposal sites.
- Snow disposal sites (snow dumps): Providing and maintaining various sites for the storage of snow removed by City crews and private contractors.
- Snow fencing: Installing removable fencing in specific areas to reduce the drifting of snow from open areas onto streets, sidewalks, and lanes.
Priority Street System
Crews will be out plowing the snow as soon as there is an accumulation, and will plow streets based on the priority street system.
Priority 1 Streets: These are high-traffic high-volume roads which include freeways and major arterials, such as Circle Drive, College Drive, 8th Street, and Idylwyld Drive; access to fire halls, ambulance stations, and hospitals; parts of downtown; and some bus routes. These streets are plowed first and crews will continue doing passes on them until they are clear. The goal is to have these streets plowed within 12 hours after the snowfall ends.
Priority 2 Streets: These are other arterial and collector streets, such as Broadway Avenue, Clarence Avenue, Boychuk Drive, and Pinehouse Drive, as well as the remainder of bus routes, and the remainder of downtown. They will be allowed within 36 hours after the snowfall ends.
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Priority 3 Streets: The remainder arterials and collector streets, and streets adjacent to schools. These are plowed within 72 hours after the snowfall ends.
During extreme snowfall events, the amount of snow and/or accompanying severe drifting conditions could make it impractical to complete snow clearing operations on the priority street system within the time specified.
The Snow Route
A temporary parking ban on the Snow Route helps the City plow snow more quickly and efficiently, and reduces the inconvenience to traffic flow. Streets on the Snow Route are identified with “No Parking – Snow Route” signs that are posted.
When a Snow Route Temporary Parking Ban is declared, parked vehicles must be removed from the Snow Route within 8 hours. Any vehicles not moved within that time will be ticketed and towed to a street nearby or impounded, depending on the circumstances. Parking is permitted on a Snow Route street after it has been plowed.
Residents are responsible to know when a Snow Route Temporary Parking Ban is in effect, and should consider this before parking on the Snow Route. You can register to receive a Snow Route e-notification by emailing snow.route@saskatoon.ca. To find out if the Snow Route is in effect, call Public Works at 975-2491, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or on our City Blog (click on the links at www.saskatoon.ca), or check with local media.
Sidewalk Clearing
To help improve public safety and mobility, The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw requires residential sidewalks to be clear of snow and ice within 48 hours of a snowfall, and sidewalks in certain commercial and suburban areas to be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall. If the City receives a report of an uncleared sidewalk, the site will be checked, and if necessary, the owner/occupant will be asked to clear it. Again this winter, the City will not fine residents for uncleared sidewalks. But if the City has to clear the sidewalk, the cost will be charged to the owner’s property tax. To report an unsafe sidewalk, call Public Works at 975-2491.
Residents who are not able to clear their own sidewalks of snow could consider asking younger family members or neighbours for help, or perhaps the person who cuts their grass. Snow clearing services are also listed online, in the phone book, or the newspaper.
Snow Angel Program
Saskatoon residents are encouraged to be a “Snow Angel” and help their neighbours keep their sidewalks clear of snow. Those receiving help can contact the City of Saskatoon with their story and the name and address of their “Snow Angel”. The “Snow Angel” will receive a thank you from the City, and will be entered in prize draws made throughout the winter. “Snow Angels” can be nominated by email at snow.angel@saskatoon.ca or by writing Public Works, City of Saskatoon, 222 – 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon SK S7K 0J5.
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